Drilling at Leonora South Could Make or Break Asra’s Resource Growth Plans
Asra Minerals has initiated a significant 3,000m drilling campaign at its Leonora South Gold Project, targeting the Challenge and Eclipse prospects near the existing Sapphire resource. The program aims to validate historic gold mineralisation and could expand the company’s resource base.
- 3,000m reverse-circulation drilling underway at Challenge and Eclipse prospects
- Targets lie within 500m of Sapphire deposit’s 21,600oz JORC 2012 resource
- Program designed to confirm grade and continuity of historic mineralisation
- Drilling expected to finish in August with assay results 4-6 weeks later
- Supports potential resource expansion at Leonora South Gold Project
Drilling Commences at Key Leonora South Prospects
Asra Minerals Ltd (ASX – ASR) has kicked off a 3,000-metre reverse-circulation drilling program at its Leonora South Gold Project in Western Australia. The campaign focuses on the Challenge and Eclipse prospects, both situated within 500 metres of the company’s existing Sapphire deposit, which holds a JORC 2012 Mineral Resource Estimate of 21,600 ounces at 2.1 grams per tonne gold.
This drilling initiative is designed to build on encouraging results from historic shallow drilling, aiming to confirm the continuity and grade of gold mineralisation in these highly prospective zones. The program comprises approximately 50 holes and is expected to conclude by August 2025, with assay results anticipated 4 to 6 weeks thereafter.
Strategic Importance of Challenge and Eclipse
Both Challenge and Eclipse are considered high-priority targets due to their proximity to the Sapphire resource and the geological similarities they share. Historical drilling has already indicated promising shallow gold intersections, but this new campaign seeks to validate and extend those findings, potentially unlocking additional ounces within the Leonora South tenure.
Managing Director Paul Stephen emphasised the significance of this drilling phase, stating it represents a key step in realising the broader potential of the Leonora Gold Project. The results will not only refine the company’s geological understanding but also inform future resource assessments and exploration strategies.
Context Within Asra’s Broader Gold Portfolio
Leonora South is part of Asra Minerals’ extensive gold exploration footprint in the prolific Eastern Goldfields region of Western Australia. The company’s portfolio includes multiple JORC-compliant resources, with a total gold inventory exceeding 200,000 ounces across Leonora North and South projects.
The ongoing drilling at Leonora South complements previous exploration successes, such as the high-grade intercepts reported at Kookynie East in late 2024. Asra’s strategy appears focused on expanding known resources and advancing promising targets within a well-endowed gold district, which hosts several multi-million-ounce deposits and operating mines nearby.
Looking Ahead
While assay results remain pending, this drilling campaign could materially enhance Asra’s resource base and underpin future development plans. Investors will be watching closely for the upcoming assay releases, which will provide critical insights into the potential scale and grade continuity of gold mineralisation at Challenge and Eclipse.
Bottom Line?
Asra’s drilling progress at Leonora South sets the stage for a potential resource upgrade that could reshape its gold project outlook.
Questions in the middle?
- Will assay results confirm and extend the historic gold mineralisation at Challenge and Eclipse?
- How might new drilling data impact Asra’s overall resource estimates and valuation?
- What are the company’s next steps if the drilling confirms significant gold continuity?
